Richard Henry Dickhaut

Richard H. Dickhaut, 91, passed away March 12, 2026, in Albuquerque, NM after a brief illness. He was born November 30,1934 in Boston, MA to Viola M Morgan Dickhaut and Paul G Dickhaut and grew up in Waltham, MA. He was very involved as a youth from boy scouts to summer lifeguard, chess clubs, and library page.

Dickhaut graduated in 1956 from UMass Amherst with a B.S., from Seattle University in 1963 with a B.A., and University of New Mexico in 1979 with a M.A. And in 1989 a Doctorate in Anthropology. He really was a life long student, teaching classes at UNM as well.

His professional life as a consulting research physicist brought him many opportunities including his work with Conneticut Aeronautical Engine Labs, MIT, Boeing Company, NASA, and more. He was the founding Director, President and CEO of the non-profit Spectra Research Institute in Albuquerque beginning in 1983. His expertise in neuroscience and the bioelectromagnetic field brought him in as a consultant at the Sandia National Labs in Los Alamos. He officially retired in 1996, however was brought back for one more project much later!

Dickhaut was fluent in Spanish from immersive language courses in the country of Mexico.He went on to study Italian as well. He was a lifelong member of the NY Academy of Sciences, member of Sigma XI, American Assoc.for the advancement of Science,held a CB amateur license, and joined an RC sailboat club at Tingley. He and his late wife Pat took many trips to Mexico, loved camping and boating, and hanging out by the pool. Dickhaut was a self-taught classical guitar player, left-handed! He spent many hours at the senior center making pottery, doing leather work, dabbling in jewelry, and playing chess there as well as online. He was an avid reader and housed an impressive library. He loved a good margarita or fine wine and full meal including desert. He spent the last 8 years of his life with his girlfriend Marilyn going out to dinner or taking in a musical experience or art opening, doing crafts with her and his daughter when she came to visit. Dickhaut was a renaissance man.

Survivors include his daughter, Cara E Dickhaut Russell Morton, two half-brothers, David P. Dickhaut (Joie Esker), Donald P. Dickhaut (Rhonda Williams) and their extended families. Grandchildren; Mindy L. Morton Williams (Michael Williams), Tyler J. Morton (Tirza Torres). Great grandchildren; Porter J. Williams, Paige R. Williams, Padraic B. Williams, and Dominic L. Morton.

Preceded in death by his last wife Patricia Ruiz Dickhaut, half-sister Faith I Dickhaut Kindness, son Paul R. Dickhaut, son Wesley P. Dickhaut Russell, grandson Travis J. Morton. No services to be held, but soul to be released on his Sandia Mountains. In lieu of flowers or gifts and keeping with his philanthropic nature, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.